CHAPTER 531: CHAPTER 520: AVOIDING SUSPICION—DOES IT STILL NEED TO BE TAUGHT?

Old Master Cui clamped his lips tightly, his breathing became rapid, but in the end, he did not ask further. However, it seemed like he had guessed most of it.

It’s likely that the official intends to eliminate...

Unexpected? Not really.

But indeed, it is tragic.

In this world, nothing is unexpected. When an Emperor is not benevolent, anyone can lose their life, no matter how many merits one has; they are simply a step quicker on the ladder to heaven.

Emperor He is narrow-minded and cannot tolerate others.

If Cui Yang can survive, it’s likely he faces a nine-in-ten chance of death this time.

Unlike his complicated feelings, Dowager Cui reacted with joy upon hearing the news.

"This is a good thing."

She had long harbored resentment towards the Cui Family members going to battlefields.

"You are always away, yet you always neglect the family. Whenever there’s a battle, I’m terrified, fearing something might happen to you. What would I do then, and what about Shuyu?"

Old Master Cui helplessly responded, "That’s a woman’s view, what he is doing is protecting our country and building achievements..."

His words weren’t finished when he was ruthlessly interrupted.

"Don’t speak to me about such grand principles. Such national righteousness, I, a mere woman, do not wish to understand. I only have this one son, his being alive is the best; though I am a commanded woman in the court, I am foremost a mother, I care about nothing else."

As she spoke, she couldn’t help but continue.

"Every time there is danger, the official sends Cui Family’s young men to the forefront. He sits on the Dragon Chair, merely moving his lips, and everyone has to obey his commands."

"The battlefield is blind to loyalty, aren’t there enough sacrifices of soldiers already! Excuse my impertinence, but isn’t this world not just belonging to the Jin and Cui Families? Why should the Ji Family reap the benefits without any effort?"

At this moment, Dowager Cui showed no signs of aging. She was a good-natured woman, and these words had been in her heart for a long time, especially after learning that Cui Yang’s arm had been ’disabled’.

Old Master Cui became silent. These were also his heartfelt feelings.

On one side, Madam Xuan Family remained quiet, like a living dead. Finally, she slowly looked up.

Still charming, her baby face looked unusually young. Saying she and Qiao Si were sisters would not be an overstatement.

Cui Yang remembered, when she smiled, she had shallow dimples, very sweet. At the previous palace banquet, she was laughing with her sister-in-law Xuan E.

Caught in a fleeting glimpse, he was spellbound for a long time. That spurred his desire to seek marriage.

But afterwards, after marrying him, Madam Xuan Family smiled less and less.

Finally, Madam Xuan spoke with him.

"You are resigning from your official position, what about Bai?"

Cui Yang would be lying if he said he wasn’t disappointed.

"He will resign as well."

"This time the Tiger Talisman will be handed over."

The official might refuse at first, but with his worries relieved, he must agree.

"That’s good too, he can spend more time with Ah Si."

The conversation between spouse felt incredibly strained.

Dowager Cui observed this and felt profoundly disheartened.

————

After entering the palace, Emperor He, wearing a benevolent facade, meticulously inquired about the attack on Shan City.

General Cui respectfully knelt down.

"Your Majesty, be at ease. Although my father was gravely injured, he expelled traitors and fought against enemies, killing thousands of miles away. He even chopped off the head of the Eighth Prince who led the barbarian enemies against our vast Da Qi."

"I have brought it specially."

As he spoke, he was about to hand the box to Eunuch Ying.

Prince Gong cooperated well: "This prince will take it!"

General Cui: "Qu Jing is disloyal and unrighteous, daring to conspire with the barbarians secretly, disregarding countless civilians, General Jin personally executed him. His body was mutilated and skinned."

Prince Gong: "Turning his bones to dust is not too much!"

Emperor He was so angry he wanted to vomit blood.

The Eighth Prince was his most favored prince! How was he to explain this!

Qu Jing was also a person he personally promoted, placed by General Jin’s side.

All his efforts were in vain!

Yet he could only smilingly step forward to help him rise.

"Good!"

It should have been them who died, his plan was flawless. But how had it been detected!

Emperor He: "Cui Yang has worked hard."

He was about to suggest sending a trusted Imperial Physician to check the pulse and verify the truth.

But General Cui then presented both hands holding the Tiger Talisman.

Prince Gong finally realized what game this father and son were playing. He couldn’t help but be profoundly alarmed.

minutes later, having shed his armor, Cui Bai, no longer a general, returned home with ease.

Qiao Si stood there waiting for him, no longer skeletal and harboring no thoughts of death.

Cui Bai quickly stepped forward and fully embraced her.

This time, he finally felt her warmth.

A cold fragrance filled his nose, giving him solace.

"Ah Si."

"Mmm."

"Ah Si."

"Mmm."

He suddenly laughed as if he couldn’t call her name enough.

Qiao Si, flustered, began to push him away.

"Your uncle is watching; let go of me."

Cui Bai did not let go of her. But he turned his head to see Cui Yun standing beside, holding a plate full of overly sweet desserts.

"Need your brother teach you how to avoid impropriety?"

Cui Yun stood there nonchalantly, slightly lifting his eyelids.

"Did my boots offend you? Or did you specifically want me to move?"

"It’s not like I was peeping secretly. This isn’t a room inside, at least be a bit more restrained, brother."

At this moment, there’s none of the disciplined rigidity formed by harsh experiences, only the demeanor appropriate to his young age.

Nor was there any injury from poisonous insects.

His wrist bore no beads given by the Sanqing Taoist, and likewise, he had not yet met the Shen Family girl.

Everything was still salvageable.

The Shen Hua of this year was only eight years old.

It was not until she was nine, after the poison had seeped deep into her bones, that she fainted by the lake, nearly beyond saving, which then led to her becoming frequently ill.

Without the bracelet to twist bizarre times.

Hence, Cui Yun’s life had not yet seen the arrival of Xue Tuan.

Cui Bai’s heart and eyes were filled with only Qiao Si, and even when going to the main courtyard to greet the elders, he didn’t let go of her hand.

Cui Yun really couldn’t stand his clinginess. Although his brother is usually emotionally reserved, even if he adores his sister-in-law, he wouldn’t behave so openly in public.

Last time he was embracing Qiao Si’s waist, and accidentally seen by Mama and maternal aunt, he was left red-eared and at a loss.

Now it was unbearable.

Unable to tolerate it, he quickly left.

With his departure, Cui Bai was even less scrupulous.

"Did you miss me?"

Qiao Si bit her lip. Instead of answering, she asked,

"Last time you mentioned naming the child, have you had any ideas?"

"Let’s name her Cui Rong."

Qiao Si felt joyful upon hearing this, but soon her brows furrowed.

"What if it’s a young man?"

Cui Bai leaned close to her ear: "This baby is a little girl, and if it were a young man, I would just need to try harder in the future."

Meanwhile, Cui Yun did not go to the main courtyard; he went to see Cui Yang.

Seeing Cui Yang was all fine, he lazily walked outside.

"Stop! What kind of attitude is that!"

Cui Yun scoffed.

"The news of father’s injury has come, the Wu Family will probably send someone over again. I really can’t show you respect; Father, please understand."

Wu Family, Wu Shaoyin.

He truly detested them.

Cui Yang furrowed his brows: "If they come, they come. It’s their good intentions. The Cui family has more than enough room. You are a man, why harp on this and hold such prejudices! How could you have the demeanor of a gentleman!"

"Why blame Yun so soon after returning, General?"

"Shuyu, it’s him..."

Madam Cui turned cold.

Cui Yang could say anything, she didn’t care.

But to blame her child, that wasn’t acceptable.

"You might not care for your son, but I treasure him. In all of Shengjing City, there’s surely no one more sensible than him!"

"If you truly disdain me, I think it’s better not to come back at all!"